I like the shock method. I always well feed my bettas anyways, however with my chosen pair I feed throughout the day - while maintaining a tank temperature of 80-82.
I put the pair together in the same tank but at opposite corners. Once they gain their bearings, and realize there is another betta they usually act fast to lay down where they are claiming space. The male tends to build a bubble nest almost immediately, and if the female is being finicky I may or may not introduce a female via a floating cup, while if the male is being finicky I may use a male in a cup. I may also use the floating mirror for either or, especially for the macho ladies.
I clean the tank every day, just getting the bits and pieces off the bottom of the tank. I put in cooler water, and mist the top part of the tank. The water remains at a few inches deep (10 gallon). By day 2-3 they will have spawned, with some nipped fins for either of them or both of them.